Merle Paul Brown (1917 - 2014)

Born 23 Mar 1917 in Blockton, West Virginia,United States

Died 8 Dec 2014 at age 97 in Farmington, Minnesota, United States

Biography

Obituary

Brown, Merle P., age 97, of Lakeville, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2014 at Trinity Care Center in Farmington. Born in Blockton, West VA. Preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Grace Brown; his daughter, Linda Poets, and son, Richard Brown. Survived by his son, Edward Brown; son-in-law, Keith Poets; daughter-in-law, Susan Brown; grandchildren, Theresa Storm, Michael Brown, Jessica Brown, Samuel Poets, Melissa Brown, Jacob Poets, Richard Brown, and Nicholas Brown; and several great-grandchildren. Mr. Brown, a highly decorated veteran of WWII, completed 33 missions over Germany piloting a B17 Flying Fortress. On his 13th mission his plane was damaged over Berlin. He crashed his plane on an island under Swedish control. He and his crew were interned in Sweden for several months before they could return to combat. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation and European battle stars. While in Sweden Merle met and fell in love with a young lady Maybritt Kahl. After the war Merle returned to Akron, Ohio where he grew-up. He married Maybritt and worked as a corporate pilot for Firestone. They had two children (Linda and Richard). They continued living for the next 17 years in the Akron area. In 1963, Merle accepted a position with International Jet in Minneapolis, MN. He and Maybritt divorced in 1964. He continued flying with International Jet until his retirement in 1982. Merle lived in Lakeville area for the next 32 years. He purchased land on a lake in Northern MN and completed a course in building log cabins. His Minnesota family and friends proceeded to build a log cabin on the property. They cut and prepared every tree used in its construction. Additional purchased materials were brought in by boat. The family spent many happy times in their cabin in the wilderness. He loved hunting and fishing, winter sports, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. In 2000 Merle's macular degeneration and hearing worsened. At that time he moved into Main Street Manor Senior Housing in Lakeville. He purchased a rechargeable battery operated chair which he continued to drive all over Lakeville well into his 97th year. Friends may gather at 12:00 PM prior to the funeral service at 1:00 PM on Wed. Dec. 17, at White Funeral Home, 20134 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville (952-469-2723) Wednesday, December 17, 2014. Followed by Interment at Lakeville Grove Cemetery with military honors. A Celebration of Life will be held to honor Merle at the Holiday Inn, 20800 Kenrick Ave, Lakeville following the the services. Memorials to the Macular Degeneration Society or a charity of your choice.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.whitefuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2857230&fh_id=11395